THE Daily Mail warns that hedgehogs may be dying out in the UK.
A survey for BBC Gardener's World revealed that 48 per cent of people have never spotted one in their garden, and only 11 per cent see them regularly.
Lucy Hall, BBC Gardener's World editor, said: “The much-loved, humble hog is among gardeners' most appealing natural allies, but they're disappearing on our watch. And yet a few simple steps, from leaving out the right food, to opening up gaps in fences and creating secluded areas for nesting and hibernation, will help make our gardens the havens that hedgehogs have long enjoyed.”
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You certainly couldn't fail to notice that Sara Leckie was a dog lover when she got married the other day.
The Daily Star reports that 30 year old Sara, whose father died when she was in her 20s, was walked down the aisle by her pet Border Collie dog Moss.
And three other dogs accompanied the bridesmaids at Sara's wedding to Nathan Rosser in the Brecon Beacons in Wales.
Sara said: “I don’t think my family and friends were the least bit surprised when we invited dogs to our wedding!
“Our love of dogs was what brought me and Nathan together. They’re part of the family and I couldn’t imagine not having them there for our special day.”
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The first children's literary character to appear on a British coin is Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit.
The Daily Express says the character will be on a special 50p piece to be released to mark the 150th anniversary of the author's birth in 1866.
Three more Potter characters will feature on special edition coins released later in the year to complete a four-piece set.
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According to the Daily Mail, the official commemorative china range for the Queen's 90th birthday is now available.
Ian Grant, of the Royal Collection Trust, which made the fine bone china pieces, said they wanted to create ‘something much more personal’ than previous royal ranges.
Prices for the pieces start at £25 for a mug, with pillboxes costing £29 , teacups and saucers £55, side plates £39, tankards £39, and plates £89.
"More tat vicar?"
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Seventy four year old Tom McClean is described by the Daily Star as a 'survival expert' which is not surprising as Tom is set to sail 3,000 miles across the Atlantic – in a whale-shaped boat.
Tom has spent 20 years and £100,000 building the boat named Moby and put it together on the shore of Loch Nevis, near Lochaber, in Scotland. The 65ft-vessel also has a spout which can launch water six metres into the air.
In 1969, he became the first man to row solo across the Atlantic from west to east. The veteran also claimed the world record for crossing the Atlantic in the smallest boat.
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It appears that the UK National Health Service is aiming to create 10 'healthy' new towns designed to encourage people to exercise more, eat better and live independently into old age.
According to The Guardian, fast food-free zones could be set up near schools as part of a bid to tackle major health problems such as obesity and dementia.
The 10 towns selected, stretching from Darlington to Devon, will comprise more than 76,000 homes and 170,000 residents.
NHS England chief executive, Simon Stevens commented: “The much-needed push to kick-start affordable housing across England creates a golden opportunity for the NHS to help promote health and keep people independent.
“As these new neighbourhoods and towns are built, we’ll kick ourselves if in 10 years’ time we look back having missed the opportunity to ‘design out’ the obesogenic environment [which encourage people to eat unhealthily and not take enough exercise], and ‘design in’ health and well-being.”
Reference list:
The Express (www.express.co.uk)
The Guardian (www.guardian.co.uk)
Daily Mail (www.dailymail.co.uk)
Daily Star (www.daily star.co.uk)